Core i5-3450S vs FX-6330

Core i5-3450S vs FX-6330 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-3450S

4 / 4

4,399

0.0%

4,433

+0.8%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-3450S vs FX-6330 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-3450S vs FX-6330: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-3450S

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-6330 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (4,399 vs 4,433).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 25.3 vs 40.7 PassMark/$ ($174 MSRP vs $109 MSRP).

FX-6330

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Costs $65 less on MSRP ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).
✅Delivers 60.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 40.7 vs 25.3 PassMark/$ ($109 MSRP vs $174 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-6330 better than Core i5-3450S?

Yes. FX-6330 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, FX-6330 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, FX-6330 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

FX-6330 is the better buy right now. FX-6330 comes in $65 cheaper on MSRP at $109 MSRP versus $174 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 60.9% better value on MSRP (40.7 vs 25.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

FX-6330 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3450S vs FX-6330 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-3450S

The Core i5-3450S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,399 points. Launch price was $150.

FX-6330

The FX-6330 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 15 December 2015 (9 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 6 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,433 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3450S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the FX-6330 offers 6 cores / 6 threads — the FX-6330 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450S versus 4.2 GHz on the FX-6330 — a 18.2% clock advantage for the FX-6330 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-3450S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-6330 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3450S scores 4,399 against the FX-6330's 4,433 — a 0.8% lead for the FX-6330. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450S vs 8 MB (total) on the FX-6330.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	FX-6330
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	6 / 6+50%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4.2 GHz+20%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.6 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB+2300%
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	4,399	4,433

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3450S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-6330 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	FX-6330
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3450S was priced at $174, while the FX-6330 came in at $109. On launch pricing ($174 vs $109), FX-6330 was $65 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3450S delivers 25.3 pts/$ vs 40.7 pts/$ for the FX-6330 — making the FX-6330 the 46.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	FX-6330
MSRP	$174	$109-37%
Performance per Dollar	25.3	40.7+61%
Release Date	2012	2015

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